AP Physics 1 Supplemental Problem Sets
Description
The new AP* Physics 1 exam, based on sample exam questions released to certified instructors, is a significant change from the previous AP-B exams as well as other standardized physics exams teachers and students are familiar with. It includes a focus on conceptual reasoning and transfer skills, and requires strong technical reading and information parsing, which may be even more important than the underlying physics content itself.
The AP* Physics 1 Essentials guide book is designed as an easy-to-read roadmap to the essential content knowledge and mathematical relationships required for success in the course. It is not, however, designed as a textbook replacement, nor will it, in isolation, provide the rigorous application and problem-solving practice inherent in the new exam. Mastering this book only will not make you a master of the AP-1 exam, nor is that its purpose.
This type of learning is much more efficiently facilitated through inquiry-based lab experiences, group problem solving, whiteboarding, and deeper discussion. The review book itself is designed to be "easy to read," flying in direct opposition to many of the new-style exam questions. For this reason, as well as many others, AP* Physics 1 Essentials is recommended for use as a supplementary resource to help cement the fundamental knowledge and essential concepts necessary in the course, as the title implies.
In an effort to assist students and instructors in preparing for the actual exam, work is ongoing to build an AP-style problem set which may be used freely in classrooms for this purpose. This work is on-going, and will be updated on this site as the problems are available. (If you're interested in contributing to the problem sets, we'd love the help! Get in touch by clicking on the e-mail icon at the top of the page!)
Supplemental Problems by Unit
*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board, which does not sponsor or endorse this product.
Problems courtesy of Joshua Buchman, Bob Enck, Dan Fullerton, Laurie Peslak, and Paul Sedita.